A Shadow on the Utaku Plains (Closed-ish RP)

[Shosuro Honzo]

(OOC-This thread is extremely tightly closed to all but a few. If you are a part of the previous threads concerning Bayushi Haruka's family's destruction, then you have a say in this thread. If you do not have anything to do with that storyline, please PM Haruka if you think you have anything useful to add to this story. Thanks and enjoy)

Shosuro Honzo had ridden hard these past few weeks. Traveling from Kyuden Bayushi through the Empire into Unicorn lands had proven difficult. With the war going on Honzo felt that his place was back home, running operations with the shinobi and helping to win the conflict. However, his Champion had called, and called specifically for him, so he obeyed.

Honzo thought about using stealth for this mission, but decided to discard the idea. He was no spy on this endeavor. He was on a sanctioned mission to find a murderer. So, instead of his usual ninja gear, he opted to dress for battle. His armor was painted black for the most part, with only a few pieces that were lacquered crimson. His kabuto was a thing of beauty and terror all at once. Standing tall and bearing a large, black iron scorpion with tail raised to strike, it was an intimidating gesture to see the Shosuro daimyo dressed for war. His mempo was likewise terrifying. Covering his whole face, the mempo was a black, snarling face, with fangs in the mouth and a horrifying countenance meant to inspire fear in the enemy. There were even rumors that his mempo was a numeranai, and would emit a howling oni's roar when he charged into battle.

Honzo's sword, the sword of the Shosuro family was belted in his obi firmly. The large sword was sheathed in a midnight saya that reflected no light. Sitting atop his horse, Honzo was the epitome of death. Peasants fell onto their faces in terror at the sight of him. Honzo inwardly smiled to see that the people of this land still recognized authority outside of the Ki-Rin.

He stopped to rest in a village just on the outskirts of the province that would be his destination. The headman stepped out of his hut and prostrated himself before Honzo before he could even dismount. Honzo purposefully disregarded the man until he had unhorsed and given his reins to a stableboy. "What village is this?" he demanded.

[Shosuro Honzo]

The headman was still facedown in the dirt when he spoke to the Shosuro daimyo. "Honorable lord, this is Shiroi Kishi Mura (White Shore Village). You are most welcome in our village and we will make your stay comfortable and pleasant. Please, allow our hospitality to take the weariness of the long road from you. A hot bath and a meal, yes? And a fresh mount as well, samurai-sama?"

Honzo scowled down at the man through his mempo. The man wouldn't see his face, but he could not dally in his task. He had not even presented himself to the Utaku daimyo as of yet. Shiro Utaku Shojo was but another two days ride from here, but it would not do to have the horselord battlemaiden catch him in her lands unrecognized and uninvited. He would skip the bath but take the fresh mount and some trail rations. He had to press on before nightfall.

"I thank the people of this village their hospitality, but I must see to your lady-lord. I'll take another beast from you and return for mine own on my way back to my home. I will also gladly have some fresh food and water for the road ahead. Alas, I cannot stay for anything else. Perhaps once my task is done and I come back on this route I might stay a day or two."

"Hai, samurai-sama. It will be done." The headman said, bowing once more into the dirt. Then he stood and clapped his hands, issuing orders. Honzo was fitted with a fresh mount and a satchel full of trail rations, as well as a fresh skin of water. He packed the things quickly, raised his hand to the peasants and rode off north towards Shiro Utaku Shojo to meet with Utaku Kasumi, praying she would aid his quest.

[Utaku Kasumi]

Utaku-dono, there is a samurai waiting to see you.

Kasumi turned her head and glanced at one of her servants.
What's wrong with those people? Everytime someone wants to see me, there are some troubles approaching.
She frowned but nodded.
Let that person in.

[Shosuro Honzo]

Shosuro Honzo sauntered into the audience chamber. He walked like a man coming home; as if he had not a care in the world. He had surrendered his weapon to the majordomo but kept his wakizashi as a sign of his station as a samurai and daimyo. He was still dressed in his armor from the long ride and his travel stained appearance was nothing unusual to the Utaku.

"Konichiwa, Utaku-sama. Forgive my appearance, for the ride has been long and the need too great for me to come to you in any other manner of garb", he said. He bowed just enough to be gracious to his host, but not so far as to seem her inferior. They were equals, as far as daimyo were concerned, and it was something he wished to express. "I trust that I need no introduction, but allow me to present to you my chop, my travel papers and this lovely gift. They are a sign of my complete openness to you, as a sign of good faith. My business in your lands is most urgent and I would call upon you and your samurai to aid me as best as you are all capable."

He waved the servants in and had them display a cherrywood box. Lacquered to a fine shine, the warm wood was a kingly gift if any. But what lay inside was far more valuable, for Honzo knew that any other sign would be an insult.

He waited for Kasumi-sama to open the box. As she did her eyes opened wide with appreciation. "Please accept this gift as a deep gesture of my sincerity Utaku-sama." Inside the box was the finest bow made out of the spiral antler of some exotic beast. Stronger than oak, more flexible than yew and shone like polished onyx, the bow was a unique and mighty gift fit for any daimyo.

[Utaku Kasumi]

Kasumi nodded slowly, watching every step of her "guest". She has refused to accept it of course, twice. After that waved at her servants to take the box away from her sight.

I thank you for your kind gift, Shosuro-san. Her tone and how she added "san" instead of "sama" gave a hint of her mood, or what's on her mind.
It is a big surprise to me that another Scorpion is visiting my land, especially in those... she has looked at him with a really gentle smile hostile times. Tell me how is your dear Champion, Bayushi Senshi-sama, doing? Is his hand healing well? His wife was really worried about him when she visited me not so long ago.

Kasumi looked at Honzo and her face showed no emotions - just as she was wearing a mask, not even one muscle moved, only her eyes been alive. And her lips when she talked to him.

But oh, where are my manners! nodded to a servant who placed a little table in front of Honzo and another one who brought a tea set for him, with some small, red cookies.
Please, be sitted. Tell me what brings you here, to my land.

She didn't even check his papers yet.

[Shosuro Honzo]

Honzo knew better than to insult his guest by refusing the offer of tea and food. He excused himself for a moment, untied his kabuto from his head and then pulled out a large black silk cloth object from his gauntlet. He covered his mempo and face with it, then carefully removed the kabuto, placing it carefully on the ground.

Next, he threw the cloth over his whole head, then removed the mempo. When all was said and done, Honzo's head and face were covered by a silken mask, with a sheer panel for the eyes. His eyes were still not visible to others, but he would be able to see. The Master of Shadows took his identity and true face seriously, it seemed. The black silk mask was embroidered with scarlet scorpion claws that crept up to the Shosuro daimyo's eyes. It was a subtle message that said: Everything I see is in my claws.

He still had not answered Kasumi. By her irritated tone and lack of courtesy in referencing him as -san in stead of -sama, Honzo decided to make her wait a few moments. He carefully lifted the hood ever so slightly so that he could sip the tea a couple of times, took one bite from the small, red cookies and waved the servant with the tray away.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Kasumi-sama", he said bowing once more. It would not do to be arrogant to this one. He needed to be away quickly. Senshi-sama's instructions were clear. "Senshi-dono is on the mend, thank the Fortunes and Haruka-sama is well. She cares for her husband and has his well-being in hand. I am here in your lands on both of their behalf. I seek a murderer my lady. I seek the one responsible for destroying Haruka-sama's family and their estate. I have been tasked with this, personally and forgive me, but I must make haste. Any assistance you could give me would be invaluable. Any information that could lead me to this heinous criminal, that I may deliver justice to the perpetrator would be most welcome."

The Shosuro daimyo waited for Kasumi's response, but he fervently hoped that this would not take too long. He had been here far too long already, and he knew that every moment he spent here was another moment that his quarry got further away. The trail might be cold already, but every secret hides, just waiting to be found. The longer he tarried, however, increased the chance that those secrets would stay hidden forever.

[Utaku Kasumi]

Kasumi blinked once. Twice. Rubbed her nose slowly.

Ah, yes. Haruka and her deceased family members. I belive you want to take a look at the scene of a... crime. But that accident took its place more than just a few days already.

Someone slided the door and entered the room. A young female got on her knees and touched the floor with her head.
Utaku-dono, there is a message for you.
Kasumi turned her head to the servant.
Is it important?
It can wait, daimyo-dono.
Leave then. And feed the messenger, ask him or her to wait till I am available.
The servand touched tatami floor with her forehead again and left the room quietly.

Forgive me for that disturbance. But I believe you understand, we are in the middle of the civil war. But where was I... Oh, yes. Haruka's old house and her family. If you wish, I could send a few of my men who were taking a closer look on the ruins. They will give you all the details you are asking for. For the rest, it's hard to say, as troops I've send to track the bandits down... aren't returned yet.

Kasumi looked at Honzo and rubbed her nose again.
You are allowed to do anything you want... as long you do not disturb people living in this place and as long your actions doesn't bring more troubles for them. Also, keep in mind that you are here only because it was Haruka's family.

She bowed her head slightly, rather just to point her last words, than show any respect to him.

[Shosuro Honzo]

Honzo bowed slightly, more curt this time. "I thank you again for your generous offer of assistance. I will speak to your people and investigate this matter. I will find the murderer, Kasumi-sama."

Honzo did not know why the Unicorn lady-lord was so irate. He had done nothing to raise her ire, nor said any discourteous comments towards her. Despite them being on opposite sides of the war, as she so blatantly pointed out, they were on the same side so far as their philosophy went. Both wished to serve the Empire.

The politics and squabble between two brothers pulled in and destroyed many lives. It was the reason he ordered the deaths of the Lion officers. With the Lion army incapable of maintaining leadership, the army would falter, perhaps even begin to unravel. Desertions, dissension, insubordination; all the things necessary to make the war end sooner.

But Kasumi seemed weary of Honzo even before their visit. She told him that he was only allowed here because it was for Haruka-sama's sake. Honzo would have loved to argue that point. He was here because Senshi ordered it. He obeyed and he had come here. That was the real reason. If Kasumi wanted to mince words and squabble semantics, she could bloody well do it with someone else. Honzo would have none of it.

He decided to visit the gardens, modest though they were. After a short visit and pleasant conversation with the gardeners, he visited the bath house and cleansed himself. He would have no one else do it for him, for he did not wish anyone to see his face. The Master of Shadows fastidiously cleaned himself and his armor before dressing and having a servant buckle and strap him back into his armor. That much they would do, if nothing else.

He was given a fresh mount and provisions. He was given several bushi and a couple of scouts to head out to the homestead. These were good, hard samurai and they would aid him as best as possible. At some point, he would dismiss them, but he needed their expertise of the land, the scene itself and events surrounding the massacre of Haruka's family.

He followed the scout and the retinue and kept up with their grueling pace. It would not be long now before he would have to utilize all of his skills to track down and kill this murderer. And he would find her...

[Utaku Kasumi]

Another person entered the room, disturbing Kasumi and her guest.
Utaku-dono, Utaku Kael-sama has returned.
It looked like Kasumi got a wind in her wings again. She jumped and smiled.
Finally! Tell him I will come to him as soon as it is possible. Go!

She looked at Honzo again.
Good to hear that, Shosuro-san. My men will acompany you when you need them. Also, they will guide you wherever you want. I hope you can get what you are looking for.

Finally! He came back with what she ordered him to bring to her!
It was easy for Honzo to see, that Kasumi's behavior has changed after the last servant coming in.
She has taken a piece of a paper and started to write something on it. She has touched it with her seal and handed it to Honzo.
Here, this is what gives you the right to do what you have to do, Shosuro-san. Also, there is a chance for you meeting troops I've sent before. This will also show them that they are to inform you about everything they've found out about those bandits so far.

Kasumi bowed her head lightly, showing that the meeting is over.
Good luck again to you, Shosuro-san.

[Bayushi Haruka]

The scene was as such a little bit of ordered chaos. Peasants worked diligently to find any materials from the estate worth preserving, ordering worthless debris aside. Gradually it had progressed into a less horrifying scene as Eta were continually burying those who had been laid out under the sun. But there were so many that it was clearly taking some time.
All of the peasants showed their respects as the samurai came, bowing quite deeply to the unusual guest among them. They were anxious around Honzo, and it was rather obvious. They were not familiar with this man and the last thing they wished to do was anger him.

Through various questions, Honzo could see the steady progress of their cleanup, but no one came forward with any information. It seemed as though all those who were here were from other families, other estates and served other lords. None of them had been present during the fires, during the desecration of the estate.

But just as Honzo thought he had heard the same story from at least ten of the men and women working away there, he noticed a young gaijin girl with brilliant blond hair lurking around his presence. She was starry eyed and seemed both eager and anxious to speak with him, but lacked the courage to approach, though it was rather clear she wanted to.

Her clothing was rather drab compared to her vibrant hair as she barely was able to handle a few lightly damaged training lances from the shiotome dojo.

[Shosuro Honzo]

Honzo sat astride his horse as he surveyed the scene. He interviewed many but they either had nothing to add or had nothing useful to aid him. Then he spied a small girl who was aside from the others. She had a look in her exotic blue round eyes that told Honzo that there was something he needed to pay attention to. Her golden hair shone in the sun and reminded Honzo of the plains of the Utaku. She was a pretty thing, if a gaijin could be considered to be as such.

He straightened in his saddle, glaring down at her. She did not shy away from him. That was good. He would need her to not fear him if he hoped to get useful information from her. He unhorsed quickly, making a theatric show of it. He strode over to the girl, thumbs tucked into his obi. His terrifying mempo snarled at her, but with a whisper of command, he silenced the numeranai. The girl quailed a little before mastering herself once more.

Honzo held his hand up to her in a placating gesture to show he meant her no harm. She averted her eyes from him time and again, but was building up her courage little by little. When he spoke, he used a sibilant, gentle tone, one that wouldn't make her flee. If he had chosen to use a more authoritative voice, she might run and he would learn nothing. "I am here to find out who did this. I would be greatly honored if you would tell me if you saw anything. Did you see something child?"

[Bayushi Haruka]

She nodded gently in reaction to his calm and collected tone. It would quickly become apparent why she had sought his attention.

"Well that night my master and I were passing through the area, it was a very strange smell that got my attention. After my master had made his way into the local geisha house unconcerned, I made my way back to see what was going on."

The girl glanced over her shoulder, pointing out with one arm, and holding the rest of the equipment she was helping with in her other. Her gaze lead Honzo to see a small hill that was just high enough to oversee the entire estate.

"I came just over that hill when I saw the smoldering fires, and a woman. I have met Utaku-donos before, but I had never met this woman personally. She was riding a white horse though, with long dark hair. But she seemed so very angry, like she wanted to watch it all burn to the ground."

She returned her gaze to face Honzo once again, bowing as deeply as she could, and in the same motion dropping one of the lances. She shuffled awkwardly to gather it up in her arms.

"I only volunteered to help since my master was kind enough to allow it. I owed the Unicorn clan for finding me and taking me in, before my master wished for me to travel with him."

She recollected herself and stood up again.
"I hope my words help you in your endeavors, samurai-dono."

[Shosuro Honzo]

With a flourish Honzo produced a golden koku into his index and middle finger. He pressed the coin into the girl's hand, her eyes marvelling at the fortune just laid in her hands. She probably had never seen so much money in her possession. To her he said, "Domo, little one. When I return, I will take you with me to my lands, if you wish. I will make it worth your Master's while. Make sure that they know that it is Shosuro Honzo that makes this promise."

The startled girl merely nodded, still too stunned to do much else. Honzo nodded to her once, then mounted back on his steed. He rode to the hill the girl indicated and leapt down again. Crouching, he searched for what he hoped was still there. He was not disappointed. There, atop the highest point were hoofprints sunk into the earth. The rider had stooped their mount, making the animal's weight settle on the area, depressing the soil down, leaving clear tracks. Whoever was here was the one who had watched the estate burn.

Calling upon what the girl said and his eideic memory, he remembered something of the heraldry of the Utaku family. This estate belonged to Bayushi Haruka's family. The couple had two daughters. The rider must have been Haruka's sister! So that would explain things. The white horse, uncommon except for those belonging to the Ki-Rin, added to the evidence. Things were beginning to take shape now.

Now that he had a starting point, it was time for phase two of his mission: track down the killer. Going to his saddle he reached in to one of the saddlebags. Rummaging around a bit, his fingers found purchase on what he sought. Honzo pulled a small object out and studied it in the light.

A small jade figurine of a nightingale rested in his open palm. Crafted by master artisans, and imbued with powerful magic, the numeranai was more than what it appeared. Holding the figurine up to his mempo-covered mouth, he whispered to the small bird.

Almost at once, the bird stretched out its wings and took flight. It hovered in midair and Honzo pointed to the tracks, saying, "Find".. The bird hovered over the tracks, darting in tight circles before the tracks started to glow. The bird trilled twice before shooting off in a dash, trailing a green sparkling trail. "And the hunt is on", said Honzo. He quickly remounted and spurred his horse into a dash, following the trail of a killer.